This mini-review aims to provide up-to-date information on the optimal usage, limitations, and benefits of neuroimaging techniques for post-SARS-CoV-2 infection.

 The neurological impact of COVID-19 is a rising concern, as patients continue to experience various cognitive and psychiatric symptoms for more than 12 weeks post-infection—a condition known as neurological post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (Neuro-PASC). However, significant challenges exist in understanding the neurological impact of COVID-19, limiting the development of effective prevention and treatment strategies.

Our search on PubMed and Google Scholar databases used specific equations for each imaging, such as structural MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), functional MRI, diffusion MRI, SWI (susceptibility-weighted imaging), SPECT (single-photon emission computed tomography) imaging, OR PET (positron emission tomography) imaging AND COVID-19. Articles were then selected with 2 independent reviewers.

¹⁸F-FDG-PET/CT and functional MRI demonstrated hypometabolism in cerebral regions directly linked to patient symptoms. Structural MRI studies revealed different findings, such as infarcts, white matter atrophy, and gray matter volume changes. One SPECT imaging study noted frontal lobe hypometabolism, while diffusion MRI showed increased diffusivity in limbic and olfactory cortical systems. The SWI sequence showed abnormalities in white matter near the gray-white matter junction. A study on ¹⁸F-amyloid PET/CT found amyloid lesions in frontal and anterior cingulate cortex areas, and a study on arterial spin labeling (ASL) found hypoperfusion in the frontal lobe.

While accessibility and cost limit the widespread use of ¹⁸F-FDG-PET/CT scans and functional MRI, they appeared to be the most promising techniques. SPECT, SWI sequence, and ¹⁸F-amyloid PET/CT required further investigation. Nevertheless, imaging remains a reliable tool for diagnosing Neuro-PASC and monitoring recovery.